Apple's iPad: Most business can wait for the sequel

Right off the bat I'll tell you I'm a fanboy of Apple. My brother and I went over to my Dad's house to share the experience of the big announcement day. We logged into Gizmodo's live blog detailing Steve Jobs' presentation. After digesting it all, my verdict is that it is indeed very cool. But is it something that will really help most businesses do business? The short answer: Nope.

To be clear, this first version iPad isn't targeted for the general business market. However, there are certainly specific businesses that can benefit to its form and functionality. And there is a horde of creative developers (both outside and inside of organizations) that will build usefully cool applications for the iPad, just as they have for the iPhone.

The two biggest showstoppers with the iPad's usability in business are 1) it can't multitask, meaning it doesn't run two or more apps at a time; 2) the form factor is wrong for the office worker. Nobody likes to a) sit on a desk chair with a tablet on their lap, having it type on a keyboard located too close to their belt, or b) prop it up on a desk easel when a computer with a much larger screen is readily available.

By far, the best thing iPad 1.0 has going for it in business is the coolness factor. It's going to be 2010's ultimate executive accessory. Just about every other business person can wait for iPad 2.0.

Now for those of you playing along at home (or in school)...well, that's another story.